Tuesday, April 01, 2014
Slow: Exodus 3-12 Part Two
Exodus 5:1-5
Now we see the opposite of s.l.o.w. ~
Pharaoh had a hardened heart, pride, disobedience and rejection of God.
Exodus 5:6-23
When we desire to live with a heart of s.l.o.w. - there will be opposition! And, it is seen here in these verses. Pharaoh made the work harder and more strenuous. Beaten, harshly spoken to, treated badly. We may experience great struggle in slowing, criticism, and the efforts of evil will be diligent in busy-ness and discouragement. We, like the Israelites, may be tempted to try to place blame or like Moses, we may go to God.
Exodus 6:1-8
God continues in His pursuit of s.l.o.w.:
surrender to His plan
less of self, more of Him
obeying His will
worship will be the result: for His glory!
He continues to lead and guide Moses. And to reassure him. And, he explains why he is doing all of this:
* verse 5, "I have heard..."
* verse 5, "I have remembered my covenant..."
* verse 7, "Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out."
There will be no question that the deliverance came from Moses or another, it will be clear the only way deliverance came is through God's hand.
Exodus 6:9
Discouragement is debilitating and can close our hearts, minds and ears to hear God or even what is reasonable.
Exodus 6:10-11 and 28-30
Moses seems insecure and hesitating as he continues to question God. How often do I do that?
Exodus 7:1-5
Another beautiful picture of surrender, less, obey and worship found here.
Exodus 7:6
May this be said of me as well, "Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord commanded them."
Insert your own name, "Monica did just as the Lord commanded her."
Exodus 7:8-13
We don't have to worry about how others will respond to or question our desire to slow. They don't have to ever understand, if God is calling our heart - we respond. God knew Pharaoh would mock them and harden his heart against God. Everything happened, "just as the Lord said."
To be continued ...